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A review by laurel00
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
dark
informative
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
As someone who pretty much exclusively reads physical books and e-books and who generally hates novels that are hype-focused on detailed description, this 4-hour audiobook that consists of essentially a near-constant string of meticulous observations was one of the most fascinating things I have ever come across.
There's something about the way that Adania Shibli wrote this story and the way that Elisabeth Jaquette subsequently translated it and finally the way that Siiri Scott narrated it that made it virtually impossible for me to pause the book. I was truly enthralled by the entire production, I guarantee you will not be able to put this audiobook down.
With regards to the most important or informative details of the story, especially in the current context of readers trying to learn as much as possible about the Palestinian struggle, this book really gives a comprehensive idea of, first of all, the systematic restriction on Palestinians' freedom of movement and, second of all, the way that Zionist propaganda incites hate within the Israeli population for Arabs as a whole and falsely convinces the citizens of Israel that their government has never done anything wrong and that their treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank is justifiable.
The dual timeline aspect of this was an amazing writing choice and that ending is just...wow. I audibly gasped and had my head in my hands from my general state of shock. The main character was so well-written, and I'm sure there are people who might not like her, but I related to her so much and I understood so many of the choices she was making throughout her journey. Following her story was an extremely memorable reading experience that I strongly recommend to everyone.
Shibli without a doubt deserves every award she has received for this novel, and I urge the Frankfurt Book Fair and Litprom e.V. to apologize for cancelling the ceremony and give her all her well-earned recognition.
There's something about the way that Adania Shibli wrote this story and the way that Elisabeth Jaquette subsequently translated it and finally the way that Siiri Scott narrated it that made it virtually impossible for me to pause the book. I was truly enthralled by the entire production, I guarantee you will not be able to put this audiobook down.
With regards to the most important or informative details of the story, especially in the current context of readers trying to learn as much as possible about the Palestinian struggle, this book really gives a comprehensive idea of, first of all, the systematic restriction on Palestinians' freedom of movement and, second of all, the way that Zionist propaganda incites hate within the Israeli population for Arabs as a whole and falsely convinces the citizens of Israel that their government has never done anything wrong and that their treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank is justifiable.
The dual timeline aspect of this was an amazing writing choice and that ending is just...wow. I audibly gasped and had my head in my hands from my general state of shock. The main character was so well-written, and I'm sure there are people who might not like her, but I related to her so much and I understood so many of the choices she was making throughout her journey. Following her story was an extremely memorable reading experience that I strongly recommend to everyone.
Shibli without a doubt deserves every award she has received for this novel, and I urge the Frankfurt Book Fair and Litprom e.V. to apologize for cancelling the ceremony and give her all her well-earned recognition.